Sunday, September 16, 2007

Lime88 : Street Food With a Twist

After reading Anton's write up about this small resto/bar hidden right in the middle of Mandaluyong, it wasn't hard to convince Paul to try it with me after I told him that they have a billiard table that may be rented for only P100 an hour.

So after an afternoon of window-shopping around Rockwell, we scheduled to have dinner here as it is also along our way home. It wasn't difficult to find the place because their bright lime colored signage will immediately catch your attention the moment you take a right turn from Boni Ave towards San Rafael street.

Lime88 is actually a residence turned restaurant. There's plenty of parking slots along the street and cheerful waiters will greet as you enter the gate. Since Paul really wanted to play billiards, we chose the lone table for two by the pool table. I prefer this area too because its well-lit and at least I'm guaranteed that i can clearly see what is being served to us.

It took us a while to decide which ones to choose. Good thing our server was very nice and made a couple of suggestions based on their best-sellers. Finally, we got the Deep fried California Maki, OssoBucco style Kare kare (Paul's favorite!) and the Chicken Adobo Flakes.

The ambiance has a very homey feel, no it doesn't have any cushioned seats neither does it have candles on every table but since the placed used to be a private residence before, we can just imagine our area being the living room, the air-conditioned area as a small room or maybe a stock room and the outside seating as the garage and garden. Since most part of the restaurant is al fresco, the only thing i didn't like is the presence of house flies. It somehow ruined the experience for me because i had to keep a look-out on our drinks and food at all times.

Let us now go back to the dishes that we ordered. First off was the Deep fried California Maki. I love the way this dish was presented. 8 pieces of regular sized makis were placed one beside the other. There was a tiny bit of wasabi at the edge of the platter, a small saucer filled with soy sauce and a piece of calamansi for a pinoy touch. I love the taste of the maki especially how the mango wasn't too sour nor was it too sweet. Being deep-fried didn't make it oily either. It just left a perfect crisp to every bite. Obviously, I love love love our first dish.

Our second dish was the first of our two main entrees, the OssoBucco style Kare kare. Kare kare is one of Paul's favorite Filipino dish. Being a true-blue Kapampangan, his taste buds are well trained to distinguish a good genuine type from those trying hard ones. Thus, ordering this dish could truly make it or break it depending on my boyfriend's verdict. Of course, we will give a bit more allowance to Lime88 since we are really expecting their dishes to be pretty unique.

Similar to our first dish, this one also didn't fail to please the eyes. It was served on a white deep dish with two beef shanks covered with yummy peanut sauce and a bit of bagoong (shrimp paste) at the side. Our fork sank into the tender meat which was a good indication that we won't be exerting too much effort to enjoy this dish. The peanut sauce has a good consistency (unlike some that our too thick for our liking) and the veggies were steamed just right.

Our second dish was the Chicken Adobo Flakes. This one was our least favorite among the three. What was expected to be crispy bits of chicken adobo served on garlic rice turned out to be hard bits of meat on cold rice with no sign of garlic bits whatsoever. It was a bit of a disappointment to say the least.

Good thing our two dishes really made our experience pleasant and we will definitely go back, this time with friends, soon!

In general, Lime88 is a perfect place for the barkada to hang out. With its cool surround sounds, inviting pool table and great tasting dishes... i'm giving it 4 twinkling stars!

Hi fran! mej here. i have a new blog too!=) and this is it. hihi. i dunno if i'm still gonna post in my old blog (tabulas.com/~makeupjunkie), but I guess this new one will be my priority. I love this new blog of yours and since i'm also in search of new restos/cafes to try out, this'll be my guide. i miss you fran!=)

A gastronomic experience mergingItalian and Frenchcuisines with flairmade more special with classic FrankSinatra tunes

Dinner will be buffet-style to beprepared byChefs Kalel Chan and Archie Juanta

Sunday, 16 March 2008

6:00 pm

Lime 88 160 San Raphael St. ,Mandaluyong City

Ticket Price: Php 1,500

Contact Person: Chef Archie Juanta0916 7838878

On 30 January 2008, Alan Juantasuffered a stroke at the right side ofhis brain during a seminar at HorizonHotel in Boni Edsa. He wasimmediately rushed to the PolymedicHospital in Mandaluyong and has stayedin the ICU for almost a month. He hasundergone 2 major operations. His wifeand children were unprepared for sucha circumstance and have been strugglingwith the mounting hospital andmedicine charges. As of 29 February,unpaid hospital bills have amounted toPhp 504,000 while medicines andhospital services have reached to Php570,000 as of 1 March.Currently Tito Alan has beentransferred to a private room and maybe discharged after his operation thisweek. Though he still cannot talk dueto a tube in his throat, he isconscious and can hear the peoplearound him. His vision is still notback to normal. Although the clot inhis right brain has been removed andthe bleeding has stopped, doctors saythat another clot has formed in hisleft brain. Fortunately this isnothing to worry about. Tito Alan'sfamily is also full of faith that hecan walk again despite thediscouraging news from the doctorsthat he may never do so.I have only known Tito Alan since lastyear. In that brief period of time, Ihave seen his zest for life that noteven people younger than his years canclaim they posses. Those who havefrequented Lime 88 can testify to thisas he would always try to converseanimatedly with each guest everynight. Tito Alan is also the family'sresident Music Man. His love forjazz, piano and Frank Sinatra musichas made him very popular amongfriends and relatives.Tito Alan's situation is not a uniqueone. This happens to millions ofpeople around the world. It touches mein a different note since it hashappened to someone close to me. Ithurts to see someone so full of lifelose mobility so suddenly.I have always believed that we alllive in a world where we depend oneach other for assistance whenneeded. We merely pay forward theblessings we receive and count onpeople to help us in our trying times.In order to raise money to help to payfor the expenses incurred over thepast month, Tito Alan's son ChefArchie Juanta and his bestfriend ChefKalel Chan are organizing a benefitdinner to be held on Sunday, 16 March2008, 6.00 pm at Lime 88, 160 SanRaphael Street, Mandaluyong City. Thetwo very talented professional chefswill whip up a marriage of Italian andFrench cuisines served in a 12-dishbuffet. A special blend of iced teawill be bottomless to accompany themeals. Tickets for the dinner arepriced at Php1,500.If you can't make it to the dinner butstill want to help out in the spiritof brotherhood, tickets can be boughtfrom Chef Archie Juanta 09167838876) or donations can begiven directly to the Juanta family.